Container



J. J. BAUMAN July 24, 1934.

CONTAINER Filed July l, 1952 Patented July 24, 1934 errno STATES PATENT oFFrcjE 20 Claims.

invention relates to receptacles, and more particularly to a jar having an attached closure lid and suitable for packaging ointments, cold creams, face powder, and similar products. It is to be understood, however, that it is not limited to such use -but when made in appropriate size and proportion it is adaptable for a wide range of other products.

For. packaging cosmetics such as cold creams, face powders, and the like, as well as for Various pharmaceutical preparations, it is desirable that the jar `or container possess a large mouth, be cheap in construction, of light weight, and attractive in appearance. Heretofore, jars for such g use have usually been made from glass, porcelain, or the like and commonly provided with threads or cam surfaces adjacent the top for engagement of corresponding threads or projections on the closure lid to secure the lid in position.

Since the advent of synthetic resinous molding materials, the desirability of such material for cosmetic and pharmaceutical containers has been recognized and numerous attempts have been made to utilize this material in the manufacture of jars and receptacles. The production of cam surfaces or threads for interlocking engagement of a closure lid necessitates the use of complicated dies, prohibitive because of excessive cost and' short life, or the stripping of the jar from the g die before it is fully cured and cooled which fails to produce a satisfactory result meeting with the exacting requirements of the purchasing public. Screw top jars and those having interlockingl closures necessitates walls of considerable thickness requiring an excess quantity of material which is quite an important cost factor. Such interlocking closures further necessitate a shoulder or offset at the top of the jar thereby forming walls of ununiform thickness which do v not cure evenly, one portion tending to overcure and the other part to undercure, or it necessitates an overhanging closure or lid which is not acceptable to the trade.

While synthetic resinous molded articles are ordinarily quite durable, especially when not subjected to stresses and strains, tightly screwing or interlocking a molded resinous cover on a jar of similar material induces such tension and strain that the cover or jar are quite likely to be broken by relatively slight shock.

appearance, and having a closure lid or cover sub' stantial'ly flush with the vessel walls, the jfar and clos-ure beinggunsubjected to stresses and strains likely to cause breakage A further object of the invention is 'to provide a jar or container having an attached reversible closure lid which may .be conveniently and quickly locked in closed position.

A further object of .the invention is te providey an improved mounting means for the closure lid.

A further object is to provide a jar having ex'- terior channels or grooves in which the closure lid is slidingly mounted, and masking means for concealing the channels in different positions of adjustment of the lid.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a jar having the closure lid possessing a minimum degree of overhang beyond the walls of the receptacle, and of uniform symmetrical and pleasing appearance. V

A further object of the invention is to provide a jar capable of being economically molded, easily drawn from a simple inexpensive type of mold, and having walls of substantially uniform thickness which will cure evenly. y

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically distending the closure carrying arms'to clear the sides of the jar preparatory to swinging adjustment of the closure lid and mounting arm. With the above primaryl and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specication, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts' and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily the only form of the embodiment oi' the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the receptacle or jar, forming the subject matter hereof, with its closure lid in closed position. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the jar with the closure lid removed and swung aside, the reverseV position of the lid being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is' a vertical sectional View. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional plan view.' Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of one of the closure mounting arms. Fig.v 7 is a fragmentary View of the'lower end of one of the Vertical grooves showing one form of lateral extension of the groove.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Brieiiy stated, the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the drawing, comprises a jar of substantially cylindrical form having in its side walls oppositely disposed vertical exterior grooves or channels extending from the bottom of the jar to a point in Yspaced relation with the top thereof, and with which communicate downwardly opening reentrant recesses or grooves in thev bottom of the jar. The closure or lid comprises a cap having dependent rigidly affixed parallel arms carrying at their extremities inward projections slidingly engaging within the vertical grooves or channels as the lid is opened and closed and entering laterally within the intercommunicating reentrant bottom grooves or recesses upon slight rotation of the closure lid to lock the lid in its adjusted position. Such reentrant recesses in the bottom of the receptacle may be slightly in clined to function as cam surfaces cooperating With the projections upon the lid carrying arms to tighten the closure lid in position. The closure mounting arms are of sufficient Width to function as masks and conceal the grooves or channels in diiferent positions of rotary adjustment of the lid.

For economical manufacture of jars or receptacles from synthetic resinous molding material, it is desirable that a simple form of solid die or mold be employed from which the finished product may be 4easily ejected.` To Vthis end the jar or receptacle is formed with a slight taper from bottom to top, bothexteriorly and interiorly, the exterior taper being so slight as to be hardly perceptible, and while the jar receptacle, illustrated in the drawing, is shown as cylindrical, it will be understood that itmightbe formed rectangular or ofV other polygonal shape. As before mentioned, the provision of screw threads or cam surfaces for engagementpof theclosure lid necessitates the use of a compound die which is prohibitive because of its cost, or the stripping of the article from the die before it is thoroughly cured which affords a product not acceptable to the trade. The abrupt offset or shoulder Yas usually provided upon a screw threaded jar or container involves difliculties of curing. The respective portions of different thickness do not cure uniformly, there being a tendency for one part to overcure or the part of greater thickness to undercure. The alternative construction is that of an overhanging closure lid of greater diameter than the body of the jar which has Yproven objectionable and is not readily accepted by the trade.

The present construction is designed to afford a jar or vcontainerof pleasing appearance which may be economically manufactured from synthetic resinous molding material and which will fulll the necessary requirements.

For illustrative purposes, 'outwith no intent to unduly limit the shape, proportion, nor appearance of the device, there Vis shown in the drawing a jar or receptacle lo of substantially cylindrical form, the slight taper necessary 'to Venable the withdrawing of the jar from a mold being so slight as to be imperceptible. bottom at 12 and provided with an annular rib 14 forming the base, and upon which the jar rests. AtA diametrically opposite sides the jar 10 is provided -with parallel vertical exterior grooves or channels lextending from the bottomof'the jar or receptacle and terminating near the top of the jar in'spaced relation with its upper edge where shoulders 20. V'l'.he bottom of the jar is undercut for a short distance at one side of eachof the grooves crchannels 16, Hthus forming a down- The jar isundercut at its wardly opening channel or vrecess 22 communicat- 16 and preferably, though not necessarily, slightly inclined to the horizontal to afford a cam surface to afford a tightening effect upon the closure lid as will be later described.V As will be apparent the jar thus described may be easily and economically molded from synthetic resinous molding compounds in a die of simple form and inexpensive construction whichl will accurately produce a finished jar.

rihe closure lid 24 Vis of relatively thin metal and of flat cap like form conforming closely to thev exterior upper portion of the vessel or jar vvalls` The material of the lid being relatively thin does not afford any abrupt or decided break in the outlinecontour nor destroy the symmetrical appearance of the jar. Formed integral with or otherwise xedly secured to the closure lid 24 is a pair of dependent arms 26 of somewhat greater width than the grooves 16 of the jar and of such length as to extend to the bottom l2 of the jar when the lid is in its adjusted posi- Each of the arms 26, at its lower end,v carries an inturned projection or lip 30, which, in the event that the bottom 12 is undercut at 22, is

slightly upturned into hook like formation. These inward projections or lips 30 slidingly `engage within the grooves 16, and by their engagement with the stop shoulders 20 at the upper ends of the. grooves 16, serve to limit the axial or lifting movement of the closure lid 24. When the closure lid 24 has been elevated'out of engagement with the top of the jar or receptacle, the lid 24 and dependent arms-26V may be swung laterally, as illustrated in Fig. 2, in whichmovement the inward projections or lips 30 -having engagement in the grooves 16 serve as trunnions or pivotal connections at any point'of their sliding adjustment within the channels or grooves. When the closure lid 24 is returned to engagement with the top of the jar, the dependent arms 26, projecting downwardly o-n opposite sidesof the jar, overlie and concealA the channels or grooves 16 and are of such length that the inward projections or lipsl BOproject slightly below the bottom 12 ofthe jar. In the event that the bottom 12 is undercut or grocved, as before mentioned at 22, the upwardly inclinedrlip or hook projection 30 will then be aligned with the inverted groove or recess 22 into'whichit is carried by a limited rotative movement of the closure lid 24. The dependent arms 26 are of sufficient width to cover and conceal the channels or grooves 16 in either position of rotative adjust-5 ment of the closure lid, that is with the pro" jectionsor lips 30' aligned with such grooves preparatory to disengagement of the lid, or VWithi-V or lip 30, projecting at substantially right angles",

to the arms 26, will engage beneath the bottom V 12 of the jar. the ends of the channels or groovesl form stopinstance, the jar, being cylindrical in form, theseV arms will be transversely arcuate as shown in the detail view, Fig. 4. Unless relieved or distended before being turned laterally about the pivotal connections afforded by the inward projections or lips 30; within'the channels or grooves 16, the margins of the dependent arms 26 willtend to swing in the plane X-X of Fig. 4 which, as shown, intersect the arcuate wall of the vessel. There will, therefore, be more or less rubbing contact which may mar the finished surface of the jar and afford a slight resistance to the swing.- ing movement of the closure lid and arm. To obviate this difficulty, the bottoms of the vertical grooves or channels 16 are preferably somewhat inclined to the outer surface of the vessel wall. As the inward projections or lips 30 are slidingly adjusted upwardly within the channels or grooves 16 upon withdrawal of the closure lid 24, the inclined bottoms of such grooves or channels exert a camming action tending to distend or flex the arms 26 outwardly relative to the walls of the jar until the transversely arcuate arms will clear the side of the jar, swinging in the plane Y--Y of Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 the normal or retracted position of the arms 26 when the lid is in closed position is indicated by solid lines while the distended position of the arms 26 due to the inclination of the bottom of the groove or channel 16 rwhen the arm is in the elevated position, is indicated by dotted lines. It will be quite clear that in such distended position 'the trailing margin of the arcuate arm will clear the convex surface` of the jar. This relation of the arm 26 in its retracted and in its elevated position is further shown in Fig. 5. The closure lid 24 carries therewithin a sealing gasket 32 which is clamped between the top margin of the jar and the interior of the closure lid 24 when the latter is in its closed position to hermetically seal the contents of the jar.

In the event it is desirable to employ more than a single pair of arms, the number of vertical channels or grooves and the corresponding arms may be increased, each of the arms being provided with a'projection or lip 30 slidingly engageable in a corresponding groove or channel 16. Inasmuch as the lid and arms in such construction cannot swing laterally, it would be necessary that the grooves or channels continue to the top margin of the jar and be provided with open ends to permit the removal of the cover.

Likewise in lieu of providing the inverted channel or recess 22 in the bottom 12 of the jar a corresponding lateral notch or recess communicating with the groove or channel 16 may be provided in the lateral face of the jar at the lower end of each channel or groove 16. Such modification is illustrated in the fragmentary view, Fig. '7, wherein the inclined or cam surface 34 of such lateral extension of the groove 16 merges into a substantially horizontal portion parallel with the base 12. In this modification the projection or lip 30 is guided by the cam surface 34 onto the relatively straight surface 36 on which it is seated to hold the cover 24 in closed position. If desired, the portion 34 may be formed slightly reentrant at 38 to afford a seat to receive the projection or lip 30 and a hump or protrusion 36 beyond which the lip 30 moves onto the vseat 38 to prevent loosening of the lid by jarring the container or by shock thereto.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage beforev enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the 'principle involved orfsacricing any of its advantages..

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described inllanguage more or less specific. as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespeciiic features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form vof several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A container, including a jar having vertical grooves extending from the bottom of said jar, and undercut cam surfaces located near the lower end of the grooves, and a cover for the jar having a dependent flange and a pair of cam followers carried by said iiange, engaging said. cam

surface when the cover is closed to hold the cover in a relatively fixed relation with respect to the jar.

2. A container assembly, including a jar of synthetic resinous material having a pair of diametrically arranged vertical grooves extending from the bottom of the jar and terminating near the upper edge of the jar forming a shoulder, said jar including undercut cam surfaces near the lower end of the grooves, the dimensions of the jar retreating from the top to bottom of the jar, and a cover having a pair of dependent arms provided with cam followers cooperating with the grooves to provide a floating pivot for the cover in open position, and seated in the undercut cam surface when the cover is closed, the cam follower cooperating with the cam surface to hold the cover when closed in a relatively fixed relation with respect to the cover.

3. A jar and a cap therefor, said jar having its maximum dimensions near the mouth thereof, the dimension retreating towards the bottom, said jar including atleast a pair of parallel grooves in the side thereof terminating near the top and a reentrant recess near the bottom of the jar, said cap including a pair of dependent arms registering with the grooves in said jar, each of said arms having a hook at the end thereof seated in said reentrantrecess for holding the cover in closed position. i

.4. A container for cosmetics or the like, including a jar having a pair of vertical grooves extending from the bottom of the jar, terminating near the upper edge thereof, and undercut cam vsurfaces adjacent the lower end of the grooves, and a cover including a pair of wide, dependent arms and inturned lips near the ends of the arms, said lips being seated in said grooves when the cover is removed, and engaging the undercut cam surfaces when the cover is closed, the arms concealing the grooves when the cover is in closed position. t, l

5. A container assembly including a jar of moulded synthetic resinous material, said jar including re-entrant recesses forming cam surl les re-entrant cam surfaces and holding-the cover in closed position. v 'j 6.`.A container assembly, including a jar .of moulded synthetic resino'us material havingV a plurality of reeentrant camsurfaces, the wall of the jar being recessed intermediate said cam surfaces and the bottom thereof to permit the removal of the jar from'the mould, eachl of said cam surfaces havinga protrusionand a cap for said jar, said cap including cam followers, one for each cam surface,.said.cam .followers being normally seated on one side .of said protrusions when the cap is in closed position and on the other side-of said protrusions when in open. position, the protrusions tending to maintain the cam followers on either side of the protrusions.

7. As an article of manufacture, a container having oppositely disposed exterior grooves open at their lower ends and terminating in spaced relation with the top of the container, locking shoulders contiguous to the grooves in laterally offset relation thereto, a closure lid for the container, dependent arms on the closure lid, in-

turned projections at the lower ends of the arms slidablewithinthe grooves limiting the upward movementof the lid and forming trunnions about which the lid and arms swingY when in extended position, said Varms being suiic'iently long to present the lid in reverse position be`' neath the container when open` whereby the lid is alternately engageable with either end of the container and likewise suiiciently long to present said projections vbeyondthe open, ends of the grooves when the lid is in closing position, the lid and container being capable of relative rotation in such position of the lid whereby the projections upon'the arms are carried laterally beyond the grooves into engagement with said locking shoulders to lock the lid in closed position.

8,'As an article of manufacture, a container having in its opposite sides. exterior vertical grooves terminating in spaced-relation with the top of the container, and a downwardly opening groove recess communicating laterally with each of thevertical grooves, a.closure lid for the container, dependent arms on theclosure lid, inward hook like projections on the arms slidable within the grooves limiting the opening movement of the lid and forming trunnions about which the lid and arms swing in said exterior vertical grooves, said arms being of `suiiicient length'relative to the container 'that they may swing on the trunnions to bring the lidto a reverse position to receive the bottom of the container and thereby serve as a base therefor, said` hook like projections .entering into the lateral downwardly opening grooved recesses. at-the lower ends of the vertical grooves upon relative rotary motion of the containerand lid'lto lock thelidY when .in closed position. Y. v

. 9. As an article of manufacture, `a container of substantially cylindrical form peripherally rabbeted at its bottom and havingin'its side walls opposite exteriorfchannels terminating in spaced relation with thetop `of the container and intersecting the rabbet at their lower ends, a closure lid including Idependent swinging arms, inward projections carried by the arms slidable within the channels limiting the extensionof the lid and serving as trunnions about which the lid and arms may swing in said opposite exterior channels, said arms being of sufficient length relative tothe container that they may swing on'the'trunnions to bring the lid to a reverse position to receive the bottom of the container 10. As an article of manufacture, a` containerY having in its opposite side walls vertical channels terminating in spaced relation with the top Vof the container, inward projections upon the arms slidable within the channels, limiting the' extension of the lid and arms and about which the lid and arms swing when extended, said projections being movable laterally beyond the vertical channels when the lid is closed by relative rotation of the container and lid to lock the lid inclosed position,said arms being materially wider than the channels whereby the channels will be covered by the arms in both locked and released positions of rotary adjustment of the lid. y l1. As an article of zmanufacture, a container, an exterior channel formed in the container, a lid capable of both axial and rotary motion relative to the container, an arm on the lid, a projection on the arm having sliding engagement in the channeL-said arm being of suicientrwidth to cover thechannel in different positions of rotary adjustment of the lid. I V12. Asan article of manufacture, a container, a closure lid therefor, mounting arms on the lid having sliding pivotal connection with thec'on-V tainer, said arms clasping the container closely when the lid is in closed position, and means for automatically distending the arms away from the container as the lid isopened. '1 l 'v 13. As an article of manufacture, a container, a closure lid therefor;v swinging arms by which'theY lid is carried, said swinging arms having sliding` connection with the container, and means for automatically spreading the arms in unison. with their sliding adjustment 'in one direction.A 14. As an article of manufacture, acylindrical container, a closure lid therefor, swinging arms by which the lid is' carried,` having sliding'engagement with the container, said arms being transversely contoured to closely conform tothe 'cylindrical surface of the container whenV the lid 1s in closed position, and means for deflecting the arms away from the wallsfof the 'container by the opening motion. of the closure lid.-

l5. AsV an article ofi manufacture, v al container, a closure lid therefor, swinging arms by which the lid is. carried having sliding engagement with tne'container, and cam surfaces vtraversed by the arms during their sliding motionv relative to the container by which the arms are deflected away from the-container. "v i 16v.V As anf article 'of-manufacture, a container, a closure lid therefor, arms -by which the'lid is carried having sliding engagement with the container, opposite vertical exterior channels in the-V walls of. the container, said arms` having'A lugs slidably engaging in said channels, the bottoms of the channels diverging upwardly whereby the arms are spread clear of the sides of the container, when the lid is l-ifted,.to permit swinging movement of said lid on said lugs as trunnions. 1'7. As' an articleof manufacture, al container,

exterior channels in the side walls ofthe confor the container, swinging arms by which the lid is carried, inward projections thereon having sliding engagement within the channels, said projections being movable laterally beyond the channels beneath the bottom of the container by relative rotation of the closure when in closed position, the arms being suiciently broad to conceal the grooves in diierent positions of rotary ad- J'ustment of the lid.

18. As an article of manufacture, a container, exterior channels in the side walls of the container, a closure lid for the container, swinging arms by which the lid is carried having sliding engagement within the channels, said lid and arms being capable of limited rotary motion relative to the container when the lid is in closed position, said arms being of sufcient width to cover the channels in different positions of r0- tative adjustment of the arms and lid.

19. As an article of manufacture, a container, exterior channels in the side walls of the container, a closure lid for the container, swinging arms by which the lid is carried having sliding engagement within the channels, the bottom of said channels being tapered whereby the relation of the arms will be Varied toward and from the container in unison with their sliding motion.

20. As an article of manufacture, a container, exterior channels in the side walls of the container, a closure lid for the container, swinging arms by which the lid is carried having sliding engagement within the channels, said arms being expansible and contractible relative to the container in unison with their sliding movement, and means for controlling said expansive and contractile motion.

' JOSEPH J. BAUMAN. 

